Texas Textbook Credits

Local districts in Texas can use textbook credits to buy additional copies of any state-adopted textbooks. They can also use the credits to buy technological equipment for the purpose of accessing electronic educational materials in classrooms, libraries, and computer labs. Districts earn credits by choosing textbooks priced at levels below the maximum prices set by the State Board of Education. Although the state legislature created this program over two years ago to help combat the rapidly rising costs of educational materials, the program has been little used due to the fact that publishers almost always price their books at the maximum, making it impossible for districts to earn credits. It appears, however, that use of textbook credits is about to become more prevalent as a result of new laws passed by the legislature and the recent announcement by the Texas Education Agency (TEA) of rules that will govern the implementation of the credit process. When districts order new literature and reading textbooks in April of 2010, new open source textbooks, electronic textbooks, and EMC's Mirrors & Windows program, will allow districts to earn credits that they can use to buy classroom sets of books, computers, white boards, and e-book readers for classroom use. Textbook coordinators at the local levels are receiving information from the TEA and will be trained over the next few months on the tracking and payment methods that will become part of the standard EMAT system. If you need further information or have questions about the credit process, talk to your local textbook coordinator or read the new rules for textbook credits on the Texas Education Agency web site by going to the following link: http://ritter.tea.state.tx.us/textbooks/announcements/ProposedSBOERule.pdf#page=26

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